I have been asked to teach a continuing ed course in August in two locations. The information is listed below. Take a gander and if you are interested, sign up and join us. It is not only for pastors but also for lay folks as well.
August, 12-14 in Cupertino, CA
The Rev. Larry A. Peters is a native of Nebraska and graduated from St. John’s College, Winfield, Kansas, Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (1980). He vicared on Long Island and served his first call in Cairo, New York, before moving to Clarksville, Tennessee, where he has served Grace Lutheran Church as senior pastor for thirty-two years. He is now pastor emeritus of Grace. In 2017 Concordia Theological Seminary recognized him as alumnus of the year. He has served as a circuit visitor in the Atlantic and Mid-South districts, is currently chairman of the Synod’s Commission on Constitutional Matters, sits on the Synod’s Commission on Handbook, and is also secretary of the Mid-South district. He has also served on the planning committees for the Synod’s Institute for Liturgy, Preaching, and Church Music for the last ten years. Pastor Peters has published many periodical articles and served as a contributor to a number of CPH volumes. He is the author of the popular blog, Pastoral Meanderings. Pastor Peters has been married to his wife, Amy, for more than forty-six years, and they have three adult children and two grandchildren. He is currently trying to figure out what retirement means.
At All Times and in All Places: All God's People Pray
More words about prayer can be found in the Scriptures than about most other topics, and yet God’s people struggle with what it means to pray. This course will examine the practice of prayer among God’s Old Testament people, through the time of Christ, through the history of Christianity, and down to the present day. What is prayer? What does it mean to pray? How do we pray? How did the people of God order their prayer lives before us? What is the difference between and what is the connection with the individhttps://witness.lcms.org/the-magazine/ual prayer lives of God’s people and the common prayers of God’s people together? What does God’s Word teach us about prayer? This course will help participants learn and appreciate the lessons of the past on the practice and discipline of prayer both as individuals and as a people gathered together for worship and prayer. All of us are both amateurs and professionals when it comes to praying, and this course is both for those who lead and teach God’s people to pray and for the people of God in their discipline of prayer throughout the circumstances and places of life.
Location: Grace Lutheran Church 303 Ruth St. Auburn, MI 48611 To download the registration form, click here.
Lutheran Church of Our Savior
5825 Bollinger Rd.
Cupertino, CA 95014 To download the registration form, click here.
Coordinators:
Rev. Aaron T. Schian
Email: aaronschian@yahoo.com
Phone: (607) 972-5792 & Rev. John Bestul
Phone: 408.252.0345
Email: pastorjbestul@lcos.org
Schedule is available from the Seminary or from the pastors who are coordinating. See you there!
1 comment:
I have seen more than a few books on the topic of prayer in the life of the believer. I think it is a good thing to discuss and examine. For me, prayer is a form of reverential one on one communication with Our Lord, and it is more often informal and private. To me, prayers are mostly simple petitions and praise done anywhere, whether in my bathroom, at my kitchen table, outside while walking, and even in a crowded public place. Prayers to me are private conversations with an omniscient and merciful Heavenly Father, through His Son, about matters He already knows about. Nothing in our lives escapes His notice. Yet, He wants us to draw near to the throne of grace, open our hearts, and speak humbly and honestly. We may often rationalize our sins to others, or have a hidden motivation for our compliments to others, but the Lord cannot be fooled or flattered by words without clarity or truth. I do not believe that long winded prayers uttered for public effect are always what God wants to hear, unless the petitioners are fully sincere and not acting as a wind chime offering a sweet noise. Believers should not view prayer as stiff and formal, but it should be a part of the life of one who loves God. Pray when you rise, during the day, and when one goes to sleep. Little prayers, thankful prayers, grateful prayers,, prayers for wisdom, prayers for help, prayers for people, just a few words, even one or two said meaningfully. A daily prayer life will refresh you, motivate you, as God’s word guides you through this earthly sojourn. Last evening, I saw the two flower pots on the stoop of my apartment seemed dry. The flowers looked dull, hanging forlornly over the edge of the containers. It was hot here in upstate NY, yesterday, and the temperatures in the eighties. I watered the plants. This morning as I opened the door, I saw both plants on my stoop were bright, lifted up, facing the daylight with energy, the flowers popped and glowing. Flowers are living things. As they need water to live and flourish, so do we need prayer, regular prayer, so we can also flourish as God’s handiwork. Soli Deo Gloria
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